50 Thoughtful Meal Train Recipes for Someone Who's Sick or in Need

Bringing over a meal is one of the most tried-and-true ways to help out a family member or friend who’s dealing with some life challenges, whether someone’s ill or injured, they’re dealing with a death in the family, or they’re welcoming a new baby.

But figuring out a great and easy meal train recipe to share with your loved one isn’t always so simple. From pesto lasagna to chicken noodle soup, here’s the scoop on how to choose a great meal to share—along with dozens of meal train ideas to get you started.

Tips for Picking a Perfect Meal Train Recipe

Meal trains are a meaningful way to show loved ones you care about them in their times of need. To ensure that you’re helping out your friends or family as much as you can, here are some tips to pick the best recipes.

Ask about preferences and any food restrictions

Most Meal Train listings include some info about any preferences or issues (i.e. hates spinach, allergic to dairy, medication interactions with grapefruit). Be sure to read them thoroughly and follow up with any questions or concerns. Even if they’re not listed, ingredients that are often divisive (like raisins or cilantro) may be good to clear with them.

Consider why your friend needs help

Your menu decisions may lean a little toward the healthier end of things if you’re trying to help someone who’s getting over the flu or getting chemotherapy treatments, while a new mom may appreciate a meal that includes ingredients she wasn’t able to eat while pregnant, like soft cheeses.

See what other people are delivering

If everyone’s going with casseroles or they’ve already had variations on tacos two times this week, you may want to ensure that they get a little variety.

Plan out transporting the meal

Transporting your meal train dish safely to your destination can be the final bit of complexity. Using your own baking dishes or bowls is a more eco-friendly (and stylish) option, but could make things a little more complicated for your friend, as they’ll have to keep track of dishes and return them to everyone. (You can help them out by clearly labeling your dish with your name and phone number, and offering to come pick it up in a few days.)

Disposable options like foil pans, food storage containers, or zip-top bags can minimize cleanup, but finding the right type of container for the meal can be a little bit tricky, especially if you’re transporting something liquidy like a soup or stew.

Deliver a little something extra

While your food train meal is the star of the show, you can always add a little extra something to go with it—whether that’s a sympathy gift, dessert, some muffins for breakfast the next morning, a bouquet of flowers, or a bottle of wine (depending on the reason you’re supplying the meal).

Don’t be ashamed to share takeout

We’ve leaned in on easy meal train ideas below, but if you’re too busy (or not feeling super confident in your cooking skills), you can still help out—remember, it’s the thought that counts. You could drop off a rotisserie chicken with sides and a bagged salad for a fast meal for them, or opt for a gift card to a favorite restaurant or meal delivery service to treat them.

Fortunately, no matter what you choose to bring,Meal Train makes it so much easier to coordinate a response, so your loved ones can get exactly the help they need, exactly when they need it.

Casseroles and One-Pot Meals

Casseroles are the traditional meal train recipe, with good reason. They’re easy to make, include everything in a single dish that just needs a quick reheat, and can often be frozen or stored if they’re already drowning in leftovers from other people’s generosity.

Simple Shepherd’s Pie

If you need to cook for a crowd, this British comfort food classic serves eight to 10 people. It’s a perfect meal train idea for a large family—or giving them lots of leftovers. Or you can split the finished product in two so your family and theirs can enjoy the hearty meat-and-potatoes goodness.

Green Chile Enchiladas

This all-in-one vegetarian-friendly meal train recipe comes together in just a half hour—and adds a hint of spice. With the warm, full spices and hearty bean filling, even the staunchest of meat-eaters won’t miss the meat. (Ask ahead about the cilantro, which can be a divisive ingredient.)

Slow-Cooker Coq au Vin

The delicious French classic is so simple to make in the slow cooker—the toughest part is browning the chicken and bacon before popping them in. A decadent wine sauce that coats the filling will taste like you spent all day in the kitchen, even if the slow cooker did all the work! If you don’t feel like making the egg noodles, it’s also great served with a slice of crusty baguette on the side.

Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Bake

This vegetarian-friendly meal train casserole is a cheesy, creamy autumnal mix of wild rice, butternut squash, and mushrooms. A rosemary-infused cream sauce adds just a hint of something unique to the dish, and it substitutes well for gluten-free stuffing. If you’re pressed for time, you can prep it in advance and store it for later, or you can put it together and leave baking instructions for your loved one.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

This pot pie recipe uses clever shortcuts (chopped frozen veggies, rotisserie chicken, and frozen puff pastry) to make it super speedy and simple. Just make sure the filling is bubbling fully before placing the top pastry on to get that beautiful, flaky crust. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have one of the most comforting and delicious foods out there to take to your loved one in need.

Breakfast Tot Casserole

Breakfast for dinner may be a nice change of pace—and this hearty casserole features comfort-food potato tots with a hint of spice from hot sauce and jalapeños. Consider providing the egg mixture and the rest of the casserole ingredients in separate containers, so they can just pour and bake when they’re ready to eat. Spicy, homey, delicious!

Skillet Polenta in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Polenta is an underrated comfort food that will lift anyone’s spirits. You may have everything you need to make this delicious meal train dish sitting in your pantry right now. Prep it fully and just have them bake it at 350°F until warm.

Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole

If they’re hot dip fans, a creamy (and healthy) vegan twist on spinach artichoke dip becomes the perfect casserole. Cashew butter and non-dairy milk blend together to make a decadent and quick cashew cream in this twist on a classic. This recipe incorporates quinoa for extra protein and nutrients and is then topped with a layer of classically comforting potato chips.

One Pot Curry Chicken Thighs and Cilantro Rice

In this twist on simple chicken and rice, coconut-cilantro rice elevates the curry-spiced chicken thighs for a fun and flavorful main dish. The rice doesn’t just give the chicken thighs a boost—it’s also the perfect vessel to catch any scrumptious peanut sauce that drips down to the plate. Regardless of this occasion, this recipe will be a big hit.

Potato “Lasagna”

Throw out the lasagna rulebook for a creative and delicious recipe that is sure to become an instant favorite. This gluten-free meal train recipe combines traditional stuffed potato flavors into lasagna-like layering; instead of noodles, it uses potatoes! Piles of creamy cheese, tomatoes, bacon, and spinach layer between the thinly sliced potatoes, bringing a layered flavor profile to this literally layered dish.

French Onion Casserole

Creamy cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh thyme combine to make this casserole, which is half mac and cheese and half French onion soup. The pasta in this dish—a penne, but any smaller noodle will do—melts into a luscious texture from the cream and stock mixture. It can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.

French Toast Casserole With Raisins and Pecans

Meal train recipes don’t have to be savory—a bit of sweetness will be a standout that’s appreciated by everyone. The best part is that every beautiful flavor of French toast—sweet maple, creamy vanilla, crunchy pecans, juicy raisin—makes it into every bite. This casserole serves up to eight people.

Sausage Sage Stuffing

Traditionally, stuffing is a holiday side, but it can be a great comforting meal train option. With the warm flavor of the sage, spiciness of the sausage, and freshness of the herbs, this dish will have everyone begging you for the recipe. The stuffing cooks in one baking dish and can be paired with various proteins or enjoyed on its own.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

This comforting casserole is actually colloquially known as “funeral potatoes” because it’s such a popular choice to bring as a comfort food. Layered with thinly sliced potatoes and two types of cheese—cheddar and parmesan—this dish takes au gratin potatoes to a new height. You can bake this at home and your loved one can just toss it in the oven when they’re ready to eat.

Pasta Dishes

Lasagna or baked ziti are classic meal train recipes, but there are plenty other pasta recipes that’ll be a hit with your recipients.

Roasted Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Broccoli stems contain as many nutrients as the florets but often get tossed instead of eaten. This good-for-them (and delicious!) pasta recipe uses roasted broccoli stems instead of basil for the homemade pesto and adds additional florets to the pasta. If white-flour pasta isn’t your fave, swap in any favorite, such as whole wheat, farro, or chickpea pasta.

Pesto Skillet Lasagna

Skillet lasagnas are a cinch to put together but still have the oomph of a dish that’s roasted in the oven for hours. In this stovetop version, pesto kicks up the bechamel and melds with spinach and broken lasagna noodles for a dish no one will forget. You can cook this green lasagna at your house, then throw it under the broiler at your loved one’s house when they’re ready to eat it.

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Move over, fettuccine alfredo; there’s a pasta casserole coming to take your place. This pasta dish is a tasty, cheesy meal train idea—and using rotisserie chicken makes it easy to assemble. A squeeze of lemon juice, Asiago cheese, and fresh herbs keep this meal balanced while packing in a luscious flavor.

Decadent Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a meal train recipe favorite for a reason. It’s a dish that even the pickiest eater will love, holds up well in the fridge if they aren’t ready to eat it right away, and is basically the definition of comfort food. This deceptively easy variation on the classic uses evaporated milk to make it creamy, rather than forcing you to make a roux and bechamel sauce.

Sausage and Fontina Spaghetti Pie

Kick your pasta presentation up a notch (or five!) with an impressive-looking (and delicious) spaghetti pie. A satisfying mix of vodka sauce, sausage, kale, and fontina cheese collaborate to make this dish as delicious as it is beautiful. And because it’s round in shape, there will be even more crispy, caramelized edges to go around.

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad

This is called a pasta salad, but don’t be fooled, pasta isn’t the star of this meal. Roasted eggplant, salty feta, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives combine to make it a perfect one-dish meal for summertime sharing—and it tastes even better the longer the flavors get to meld, so it’s an ideal make-ahead recipe.

Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake

This cheesy pasta dish is like a nice, warm hug (that also fills your belly!). Brussels sprouts and sausage make it a bit more hearty, while the rigatoni noodles ensure the sauce will get into every crevice of the pasta. In this all-in-one recipe, you can change up the meat, cheese, or pasta to make any iteration you’d like—they’re all guaranteed to be delightful.

Pasta With Garlicky Yogurt Sauce And Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

If you want to make creamy pasta healthier, this tasty option uses Greek yogurt in lieu of butter and cream. But don’t fret—just because it’s lighter doesn’t mean it skimps on flavor. Salt the pasta water well to infuse the sauce with a savory taste, and let the roasted cherry tomatoes lend it a big punch of flavor.

Edamame Pasta Salad

This veggie-heavy, one-dish pasta salad is a take-from-the-fridge meal. Sherry vinegar gives it a unique flavor, with crunchy walnuts and salty feta to complement it perfectly. (Just put the arugula on the side, so they can sprinkle it in when they’re ready to eat.)

Instant Pot Beef Ragù With Pappardelle

Pappardelle, a large, flat noodle, is the perfect vessel for this gorgeous ragu, though you can sub in polenta, rice, or potatoes if preferred. Chuck roast gets tenderized to perfection until it shreds effortlessly in the sauce. This rich and tender pasta is made entirely in an Instant Pot, saving you time while providing care for your meal-train friends or family.

Cheesy Baked Pasta

Part pasta, part casserole, all delicious! In this skillet sensation, orecchiette pasta, broccoli rabe, sausage, and zingy marinara combine to make the perfect bite. Finished off with a generous sprinkling of nutty Parmesan and baked for 15 minutes, this pasta favorite is a tasty addition to any meal train.

Soups and Stews

What’s better when you’re feeling under the weather than a hearty soup or stew? Bonus: Many of these recipes can come together easily with just a few minutes of prep and some simmering time.

Slow Cooker Classic Beef Stew

A slow cooker is your friend if you need to have a meal train dish ready on a busy day. With a half hour of prep that morning (or the night before), you can have it simmering all day, and pop it over (perhaps with a crusty loaf of bread) later that day. And bonus: If you make this the day before, it’s even better reheated the next day, after the flavors have more time to mix.

One-Pot Lasagna Soup

This TikTok viral recipe requires only one pot and is described as a “deconstructed lasagna,” so it doubles as a classic comfort food and a soup. Despite being named a “soup,” it’s more a saucy bowl of lasagna-like deliciousness. Be sure to bring along Parmesan or Romano cheese to sprinkle on top.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken soup is the quintessential sick day food—and this from-scratch version shows you just how easy (and delicious) homemade chicken stock can be. And it’s loaded with vegetables and herbs to give it a perfectly balanced flavor and nutrition. This soup also freezes well, so you can have it on hand for whenever the need strikes.

Lemony Lentil Soup

This hearty vegetarian soup recipe features a slew of superfood ingredients, including kale, lentils, and turmeric, for a tasty and healthy meal. While half the batch gets pureed, the other half remains intact for the perfect blend of chunky and creamy. Leave the crispy kale leaves on the side and sprinkle on just before serving.

Sweet Potato and Apple Soup with Cheese and Walnuts

Sweet potatoes, apples, cheese, and nuts are a match made in heaven. This tasty meal train idea is like serving a little bit of fall in soup form, with the pureed apples and sweet potatoes bringing a creamy texture that is amplified by warm spices. Bring blue cheese and walnuts for crumbling on top or enjoying on the side.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

You can customize chicken taco soup for a family of picky eaters. Skip the jalapeño in the slow cooker to cut back on the heat, and pack up an array of different toppings so they can customize the soup as they please. And don’t forget to shred the chicken before serving!

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes

A touch of cocoa powder gives the chili a mole-like flavor—and you only need to put in 20 minutes of prep for a hearty one-pot dish. Various beans bring protein to this vegetarian meal, while sweet potatoes and bell peppers add heartiness. Bring along cheese, sour cream, chives, and/or corn chips to sprinkle on top.

One-Pot Italian Sausage-Gnocchi Soup

For a satisfying (and simple) soup, try this Italian-style dish that cooks up in under 30 minutes. If you’re feeling ambitious, making your own gnocchi only tacks on an extra 20 minutes. (A loaf of garlic bread on the side will be perfect for dipping!)

Thai Peanut Butter Ramen

Made with store-bought ramen noodles and a spicy and salty sauce, this dish comes together in just 20 minutes and can be paired with tofu as a vegetarian option or chicken, shrimp, or pork. A sprinkling of spicy, crispy scallions, roasted peanuts, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice enhances the complex flavor.

Ginger Chicken Soup With Vegetables

Everyone knows that chicken soup can make anything better, and this version is chock full of veggies and amped up with spicy ginger, a well-known superfood. You can put this flavorful soup together in under an hour, and it just needs to be heated up on the stove or the microwave by your loved one later. Using rotisserie chicken or cooking the chicken the day before you make the soup shaves even more time.

Sandwiches, Tacos, and Pizzas

If they need to grab and go their meals (perhaps because they’re off to the hospital or other places), prep things that are easy to carry or pack along with them. (Bonus: They make a great lunch, too.)

Vegetarian Tacos with Goat Cheese

This batch of tacos includes veggies that don’t need any chopping or peeling, which makes putting everything together a snap. Prep all the ingredients separately, and let them assemble these tasty tacos when it’s dinner time. (Red rice or a nice salad on the side will help make it extra hearty.)

Mushroom White Pizza

This tasty take on pizza is just as delicious served warm or piping hot. Ricotta cheese, mozzarella, garlic, and oil stand in for tomato sauce, giving this pizza an elevated feel without the work. Pair it with a side salad for a full meal.

Veggie Stromboli

Load them up with veggies with this pizza-to-go recipe. (You can sub in different veggies or meat to suit their taste.) Deliver it unbaked, and let them cook it at 425°F for 15 minutes.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Slow-cooking the barbecue pork tenderizes it, while brown sugar sweetens the spicy chili powder. Serve the falling-apart barbecue on a kaiser roll, brioche bun, or even between two slices of white bread (it’ll still be amazing). Add chips and coleslaw for a casual and delicious meal.

Sweet Potato and Bean Burritos With Corn Salsa

These tasty veggie burritos freeze really well and microwave up in minutes, so they can have a quick and healthy bite whenever they need it. When cooking the shredded sweet potatoes, remember to use parchment paper (or else they’ll stick to the pan). And be sure that the burritos have cooled completely before freezing them, otherwise they’ll be soggy when your loved one reheats them.

Sweet Potato and Gruyere Turnovers

This is another freezer-friendly meal train recipe option that’s super simple to make when you use store-bought pie crust. The nutty flavor of the gruyere paired with the sweet potatoes gives a perfect balance to these hand pies. Pair with a salad or roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

Pork Banh Mi

For a fast and easy meal train idea, opt for an inspired take on the classic Vietnamese dish. The sweet and tangy sauce for the pork makes this dish truly special. Bring the fixings and the rolls, and let them build their own sandwiches.

Grandma Pie With Pepperoni and Pink Sauce

This is the ultimate in comforting, delicious meals. A classic grandma pizza combines melty cheese with crunchy pepperoni slices (but can be topped with other pizza toppings!). The real secret ingredient, though, is the heavy cream that gets incorporated into the sauce for a lush, delectable boost.

French Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Ham and cheese sandwiches are easy, comforting, and flavorful, and this French twist gives the classic even more flavor. Made with creamy gruyere and a sauce of Dijon mustard, cornichons, and tarragon atop a French baguette, this is not the traditional ham and American cheese you may recall from childhood. However, it is just as comforting (and easy to grab and go).

Desserts

Sharing a little something sweet is a great way to finish off your meal train contribution. Look for items that can easily be frozen (in case they’re already drowning in pies and cakes), or opt to provide a half batch of cookies or cupcakes.

No-Bake Almond Butter Thumbprints

Who doesn’t love peanut butter and jelly? This play on the sandwich requires no need to turn on the oven for these no-bake goodies, which can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. (You can use peanut butter instead for them, if there are no peanut allergies.)

Coconut-Lime Crumble Bars

Lemon bars are always a big hit, and this take on the traditional recipe is the perfect dessert for a meal train. These tropical dessert bars feature coconut, lime, and macadamia nuts—and make a nice light ending to a heavier meal. If your loved ones aren’t a fan of lime or macadamia nuts (or you simply want to try something different), you can try different citruses and nuts for your preferred combination.

Break and Bake Kitchen Sink Cookies

If you need a sweet treat stat, kitchen sink cookies (which feature any snacks and sweets you have around the house) are a smart idea. The cookie base includes plenty of oatmeal, and you can add all kinds of mix-ins—marshmallows, pretzel or potato chip bits, chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts—to suit your loved one’s tastes. (This dough freezes really well, so you can bring some freshly baked cookies, plus some frozen dough they can bake up when they need a little dessert.)

Chocolate Ganache Tart

It only takes 10 minutes to pull together a sophisticated, sweet, and salty dessert. The filling requires no baking, and with just five ingredients, it’s hard to go wrong. And the best part—Ritz crackers are the secret ingredient!

Marshmallow and Chocolate Shortbread Slices

For marshmallow and candy bar fans, this dessert recipe can’t go wrong. These bars are fancy-looking without requiring the effort of fancy baking. Chocolate shortbread is topped with marshmallow, apricot preserves, and almonds for a gooey, delightful meal train dessert.

Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Ice cream is a comfort food favorite, and this recipe requires just five ingredients and an ice cream maker. If you’re extra pressed for time, but still want to contribute to the meal train, use store-bought vanilla ice cream and then add your toppings. Your loved one will still love this dessert!